Method, system and apparatus for remotely configuring road traffic signal countdown timers

Abstract

The application provides a method, system and device for remotely configuring a road traffic signal countdown timer. In the configuration process of the road traffic signal countdown timer, the whole configuration of the road traffic signal countdown timer can be automatically realized by remotely setting the signal machine, without the need of additional use of a high car, on-pole debugging and road blocking, and without the need of maintenance personnel to go to the site for viewing, thereby shortening the debugging and maintenance cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of traffic signal control, and in particular to a method, system, and apparatus for remotely configuring road traffic signal countdown timers. Background Technology

[0002] Traffic signal countdown timers are used to display the remaining time of the current state of an associated traffic light. For example, if the traffic light associated with the countdown timer is currently green, the countdown timer will display the remaining time of that green light. Currently, configuring traffic signal countdown timers deployed at intersections often increases labor costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a method, system, and apparatus for remotely configuring road traffic signal countdown timers to automatically implement remote configuration of road traffic signal countdown timers.

[0004] This application provides a method for remotely configuring a road traffic signal countdown timer. This method is applied to a traffic signal controller, which controls the state of traffic lights deployed at an intersection for directing traffic flow. A road traffic signal countdown timer is also deployed at the intersection. The road traffic signal countdown timer is associated with a corresponding traffic light and displays the remaining time of the associated traffic light's current state. The traffic signal controller connects the road traffic signal countdown timer and the associated traffic light via a first connection channel. The traffic signal controller also connects to the road traffic signal countdown timer via a second connection channel, which is a 485 protocol communication line different from the first connection channel, enabling the road traffic signal countdown timer to operate in protocol mode. The road traffic signal countdown timer operates in protocol mode based on the control of the traffic signal controller. The method includes: When configuring a countdown timer for a road traffic signal at the intersection, identify whether the traffic light associated with the countdown timer is currently in a flashing green or yellow state. If the current state of the traffic light is neither flashing green nor yellow, then N consecutive trigger signals are sent through the first connection channel connecting the traffic light and the road traffic signal countdown timer, where N is greater than 1. After sending N consecutive trigger signals, the current configuration information message is sent through the 485 protocol communication line connected to the road traffic signal countdown timer within a first set time. This allows the road traffic signal countdown timer to perform autonomous configuration based on the configuration information carried in the current configuration information message when it receives the current configuration information message and has received N consecutive trigger signals within a second set time before the current time. The second set time is equal to the first set time, or the second set time is greater than the first set time and less than the third set time. The third set time is the time from the current time to the time when the most recent historical configuration information message was received.

[0005] This application provides a method for remotely configuring a road traffic signal countdown timer. The method is applied to any road traffic signal countdown timer deployed at an intersection. The countdown timer is associated with a corresponding traffic light at the intersection and displays the remaining time of the associated traffic light's current state. The countdown timer and the associated traffic light are connected to a traffic signal controller via a first connection channel. The traffic signal controller is at least used to control the state of the traffic light deployed at the intersection for directing traffic. The countdown timer is also connected to the traffic signal controller via a second connection channel, which is a 485 protocol communication line different from the first connection channel, allowing the countdown timer to operate in protocol mode. In protocol mode, the countdown timer operates based on the control of the traffic signal controller. The method includes: If N consecutive trigger signals are detected from the traffic signal controller via the first connection channel between the traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic signal controller, then when a configuration information message is received via the 485 protocol communication line between the traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic signal controller within a predetermined time after the N trigger signals are detected, the traffic signal controller performs autonomous configuration based on the configuration information carried in the configuration information message. Specifically, when the traffic signal controller determines to configure the traffic signal countdown timer, if it identifies that the traffic light associated with the traffic signal countdown timer is currently neither flashing green nor yellow, it sends N consecutive trigger signals via the first connection channel connecting the traffic light and the traffic signal countdown timer; N is greater than 1.

[0006] This application provides a road traffic signal system, including a traffic signal controller and a road traffic signal countdown timer. The traffic signal controller supplies power to the road traffic signal countdown timer, and the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer are connected via RS-485 communication. After the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer are powered on... The traffic signal controller sends a trigger signal to the road traffic signal countdown timer; The traffic signal controller sends a configuration message within a preset time after sending the trigger signal. The configuration message carries the configuration information of the road traffic signal countdown timer to be configured. After the road traffic signal countdown timer receives a trigger signal, and receives a configuration message within a predetermined time after receiving the trigger signal, it will configure the signal according to the configuration information carried in the configuration message.

[0007] This application embodiment also provides a system for remotely configuring a road traffic signal countdown timer, the system comprising: a traffic signal controller; The system also includes: traffic lights deployed at the intersection and controlled by the signal controller for directing traffic, and road traffic signal countdown timers deployed at the intersection; the road traffic signal countdown timer is associated with a corresponding traffic light and is used to display the remaining time of the current state of the associated traffic light; The signal device performs the steps of the first method described above; The road traffic signal countdown timer performs the steps described in the second method above.

[0008] This application also provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes: a processor and a machine-readable storage medium; The machine-readable storage medium stores machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor; The processor is used to execute machine-executable instructions to implement the steps of the disclosed method.

[0009] As can be seen from the above technical solution, this embodiment sends N consecutive trigger signals to the road traffic signal countdown timer by reusing the original first connection channel (such as the traffic light line, also known as the live and neutral line) that powers the road traffic signal countdown timer. It also sends configuration information messages by combining the signal multiplexing with the original signal line between the signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer, i.e., the 485 protocol communication line. This enables the overall configuration of the road traffic signal countdown timer to be automatically realized by remotely setting the signal controller. It does not require the use of high vehicles, poles for debugging and road closures, and it does not require maintenance personnel to go to the site for inspection, thus shortening the debugging and maintenance costs.

[0010] Furthermore, this embodiment does not require changes to the wiring layout of existing traffic signal controllers and road traffic signal countdown timers, and can be directly deployed on all existing systems through software upgrades, making it highly scalable. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the method provided in this application embodiment; Figure 2 Another method flowchart provided for embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is an application illustration provided for an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the device provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 5 Another device structure diagram provided for an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 The corresponding embodiment provided in this application Figure 4 or Figure 5 The hardware structure diagram of the device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0013] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, and to make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of the embodiments of this application more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] See Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a method provided in an embodiment of this application. As one embodiment, the method is applied to a traffic signal controller (also known as a road traffic signal controller). This traffic signal controller is capable of changing the timing of traffic lights at an intersection and controlling the state of the traffic lights at the intersection.

[0015] Traffic signal countdown timers are also deployed at the intersection. In this embodiment, each traffic signal countdown timer is associated with a traffic light. The traffic signal countdown timer is used to display the remaining time of the current state of the associated traffic light. For example, if the current state of the traffic light associated with the traffic signal countdown timer is green, the traffic signal countdown timer displays the remaining time of that green light.

[0016] In this embodiment, the traffic signal controller connects to the road traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic light associated with the countdown timer via a first connection channel. As an example, the first connection channel can reuse the existing live and neutral wire connection of the traffic signal controller that powers the countdown timer and the associated traffic light, such as a 220V live and neutral wire (i.e., one live wire and one neutral wire, collectively referred to as the light control output line). This minimizes changes to the existing connection structure between the traffic signal controller and the countdown timer and associated traffic light, avoiding the need for additional equipment such as physical or logical devices and saving costs. It should be noted that, as another embodiment, the traffic signal controller may not reuse the aforementioned live and neutral wire connection, but instead power the countdown timer through an additional power supply circuit; this embodiment is not specifically limited to this.

[0017] In this embodiment, the traffic signal controller is also connected to a road traffic signal countdown timer via a second connection channel. Optionally, in this embodiment, the second connection channel also reuses the existing RS-485 protocol communication line between the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer, avoiding the need for additional equipment such as physical or logical devices and saving costs. In this embodiment, the road traffic signal countdown timer operates in protocol mode. Here, the road traffic signal countdown timer operates, for example, through configuration based on the control of the traffic signal controller in protocol mode.

[0018] Based on the above description, the method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below: like Figure 1 As shown, the process may include the following steps: Step 101: When configuring a countdown timer for a traffic signal at an intersection, identify whether the traffic light associated with the countdown timer is currently in a flashing green or yellow state; if the traffic light is currently neither flashing green nor yellow, proceed to step 102.

[0019] Of course, if the traffic light is currently flashing green or yellow, then wait until the traffic light is no longer flashing green or yellow.

[0020] The reason why this embodiment avoids the flashing green light or yellow light state is mainly to ensure that the existing traffic environment is not affected as much as possible, and to execute the operation when the traffic light is red or green.

[0021] Step 102: Send N consecutive trigger signals through the first connection channel connecting the traffic light and the road traffic signal countdown timer.

[0022] As described above, the first connection channel between the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic light associated with the road traffic signal countdown timer reuses the physical connection between the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic light associated with the road traffic signal countdown timer, which is a live and neutral wire connection. Under this premise, by means of the live and neutral wire connection between the traffic signal controller and the traffic light associated with the road traffic signal countdown timer, a pulse signal generated by disconnecting the live and neutral wire connection for K seconds and then closing the live and neutral wire connection (closing the live and neutral wire is equivalent to supplying power to the road traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic light associated with the road traffic signal countdown timer) can be used as a trigger signal for triggering.

[0023] In practical implementation, to avoid potential conflicts with the already defined countdown activation logic, N should not be too large (N > 1). It should be noted that in this embodiment, N should also not be too large, otherwise it would lead to too many trigger signal transmissions, causing visual confusion for pedestrians. Based on this, after experimentation, this embodiment suggests N = 3. It should be noted that N = 3 is only an example and not intended as a limitation.

[0024] In this embodiment, the traffic light will flash after receiving a trigger signal, for example, from being on to off and then back on. The traffic signal countdown timer will also flash after receiving a trigger signal, or if the countdown timer has a capacitor, its display may remain unchanged; this embodiment is not specifically limited. However, after receiving N consecutive trigger signals, the traffic signal countdown timer will consider that configuration is imminent and will wait for a configuration information message within a predetermined time, such as a second set time, to perform autonomous configuration based on the configuration information carried in the current configuration information message, as detailed in step 103.

[0025] Step 103: After sending N consecutive trigger signals, within a first set time period, send a current configuration information message through the 485 protocol communication line connected to the road traffic signal countdown timer, so that the road traffic signal countdown timer can perform autonomous configuration based on the configuration information carried in the current configuration information message when it receives the current configuration information message and has received N consecutive trigger signals within a second set time period before the current time.

[0026] For each road traffic signal countdown timer at the intersection, they are all connected to the traffic signal controller via a 485 protocol communication line. Once the traffic signal controller sends a configuration information message via the 485 protocol communication line, each road traffic signal countdown timer will receive the configuration information message sent by the traffic signal controller. However, based on the description in step 102, only one road traffic signal countdown timer will receive N consecutive trigger signals. Under this premise, only the road traffic signal countdown timer that receives N consecutive trigger signals and receives the configuration information message within a second set time after receiving N consecutive trigger signals will perform autonomous configuration based on the configuration information carried in the currently received configuration information message. Although other road traffic signal countdown timers receive configuration information messages, they will not perform autonomous configuration based on the configuration information carried in the currently received configuration information message because they have not received N consecutive trigger signals within the second set time before the current time. This enables each road traffic signal countdown timer to accurately capture the configuration information message used for configuring itself and perform autonomous configuration.

[0027] As an example, the above configuration information includes at least the address bits of the road traffic signal countdown timer; or, at least the address bits of the road traffic signal countdown timer and at least one of the following parameters: baud rate, stop bits, data bits and parity bits corresponding to serial communication. This example is not specifically limited.

[0028] In this embodiment, the second set time is equal to the first set time, or the second set time is greater than the first set time and less than the third set time. The third set time is the time from the current time to the time of the most recently received historical configuration information message. Typically, under common serial port protocols and common baud rates, the first set time is recommended to be 3-5 seconds.

[0029] This concludes the process. Figure 1 The process is shown below.

[0030] pass Figure 1 As shown in the flowchart, this embodiment sends N consecutive trigger signals to the road traffic signal countdown timer by reusing the original first connection channel (such as the traffic light line, also known as the live and neutral line) that powers the road traffic signal countdown timer. It also sends configuration information messages by combining the original signal line between the signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer, i.e., the 485 protocol communication line. This enables the overall configuration of the road traffic signal countdown timer to be automatically achieved by remotely setting the signal controller. It does not require the use of high vehicles, poles for debugging, or road closures, and it does not require maintenance personnel to go to the site for inspection, thus reducing debugging and maintenance costs.

[0031] Furthermore, this embodiment does not require changes to the wiring layout of existing traffic signal controllers and road traffic signal countdown timers, and can be directly deployed on all existing systems through software upgrades, making it highly scalable.

[0032] It should be noted that in practical applications, it is often necessary to configure at least two traffic signal countdown timers at an intersection. Under this premise, one of the traffic signal countdown timers to be configured can be selected according to the phase sequence configured at the intersection. For the selected traffic signal countdown timer, the process returns to the step of identifying whether the traffic light associated with that countdown timer is currently in a flashing green or yellow state. Here, the phase sequence indicates the order in which the traffic lights at the intersection turn green. The selected traffic signal countdown timer must meet the following requirement: its associated traffic light must be the first one to turn green.

[0033] The embodiments of this application are described below from the perspective of a road traffic signal countdown timer: See Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is another method flowchart provided for an embodiment of this application. The method is applied to any road traffic signal countdown timer deployed at an intersection. The road traffic signal countdown timer is associated with a corresponding traffic light at the intersection and is used to display the remaining time of the associated traffic light's current state. The road traffic signal countdown timer and the associated traffic light are connected to a traffic signal controller via a first connection channel. The traffic signal controller is at least used to control the state of the traffic light deployed at the intersection for directing traffic. The road traffic signal countdown timer is also connected to the traffic signal controller via a second connection channel. The second connection channel is a 485 protocol communication line different from the first connection channel, enabling the road traffic signal countdown timer to operate in protocol mode. In protocol mode, the road traffic signal countdown timer operates based on the control of the traffic signal controller. The first and second connection channels are described above and are not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the process may include the following steps: Step 201: If N consecutive trigger signals are detected from the traffic signal controller through the first connection channel between the traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic signal controller, then proceed to step 202.

[0035] This embodiment corresponds to step 102 described above.

[0036] Once the road traffic signal countdown timer detects N consecutive trigger signals, it means that it needs to configure itself, and at this time it will enter the configuration preparation stage (mainly to further detect subsequent configuration information messages).

[0037] Step 202: When a configuration information message is received through the 485 protocol communication line between the road traffic signal countdown timer and the signal controller within an agreed time after N trigger signals have been detected, autonomous configuration is performed based on the configuration information carried in the configuration information message.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, each road traffic signal countdown timer at the intersection is connected to the traffic signal controller via a 485 protocol communication line. Once the traffic signal controller sends a configuration information message via the 485 protocol communication line, each road traffic signal countdown timer will receive the configuration information message sent by the traffic signal controller. If a configuration information message is received via the 485 protocol communication line between the road traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic signal controller, and it is detected that the road traffic signal countdown timer has not detected N consecutive trigger signals within a second set time before the current time, then configuration based on the currently received configuration information message is prohibited, for example, the currently received configuration information message is discarded.

[0039] This concludes the process. Figure 2 The process is shown below.

[0040] pass Figure 2 The process shown enables the road traffic signal countdown timer to perform autonomous configuration based on the configuration information carried in the current configuration information message only when it receives the current configuration information message and has received N consecutive trigger signals within a second set time before the current time. This achieves automatic configuration of the road traffic signal countdown timer without the need for additional high-mounted vehicles, pole-mounted debugging, or road closures, and without the need for maintenance personnel to go to the site for inspection, thus reducing debugging and maintenance costs.

[0041] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application have been described above. The systems and apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application are described below: For example, this application embodiment provides a road traffic signal system, including a traffic signal controller and a road traffic signal countdown timer. The traffic signal controller supplies power to the road traffic signal countdown timer, and the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer are connected via RS-485 communication; after the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer are powered on, The traffic signal controller sends a trigger signal to the road traffic signal countdown timer. For example, when configuring a road traffic signal countdown timer at an intersection, the controller identifies whether the traffic light associated with that countdown timer is currently flashing green or yellow. If the traffic light is neither flashing green nor yellow, a trigger signal is sent to the road traffic signal countdown timer. This trigger signal may be N consecutive trigger signals (for example, the countdown timer's operation from power-off to power-on constitutes one trigger signal).

[0042] Within a preset time after the traffic signal sends the trigger signal, a configuration message is sent, which carries the configuration information of the road traffic signal countdown timer to be configured; If the road traffic signal countdown timer receives a trigger signal and receives a configuration message within a predetermined time after receiving the trigger signal, it will be configured according to the configuration information carried in the configuration message.

[0043] This application embodiment also provides a system for remotely configuring a road traffic signal countdown timer. The system includes: a traffic signal controller; the system also includes: a traffic light deployed at an intersection and controlled by the traffic signal controller for directing traffic, and a road traffic signal countdown timer deployed at the intersection; the road traffic signal countdown timer is associated with a corresponding traffic light, and the road traffic signal countdown timer is used to display the remaining time of the current state of the associated traffic light; Signal execution as Figure 1 The steps in the method shown; Road traffic signal countdown timer execution as follows Figure 2 The steps in the method shown.

[0044] The system provided by the embodiments of this application has been described above. The apparatus provided by the embodiments of this application is described below: See Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. The device corresponds to… Figure 1 The process is shown below. This device is used in signal controllers.

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown, the device may include: The identification unit is used to identify whether the traffic light associated with the traffic signal countdown timer is currently in a flashing green state or a yellow state when determining the configuration of a traffic signal countdown timer at the intersection. The triggering unit is used to send N consecutive trigger signals through the first connection channel connecting the traffic light and the road traffic signal countdown timer if the current state of the traffic light is neither flashing green nor yellow. N is greater than 1. The processing unit is configured to send a current configuration information message via a 485 protocol communication line connected to the road traffic signal countdown timer within a first set time after sending N consecutive trigger signals. This enables the road traffic signal countdown timer to perform autonomous configuration based on the configuration information carried in the current configuration information message, provided that it has received the current configuration information message and has received N consecutive trigger signals within a second set time prior to the current time. The second set time is equal to the first set time, or the second set time is greater than the first set time and less than a third set time, where the third set time is the time from the current time to the time of the most recently received historical configuration information message.

[0046] Optionally, if the traffic light is currently in a flashing green state or a yellow state, the recognition unit further includes: Wait until the traffic light is neither flashing green nor yellow, then return to the step of sending N consecutive trigger signals through the first connection channel connecting the traffic light and the road traffic signal countdown timer.

[0047] Optionally, the first connection channel between the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic light associated with the road traffic signal countdown timer reuses the physical connection between the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic light associated with the road traffic signal countdown timer, wherein the physical connection is a live and neutral wire connection.

[0048] Optionally, the trigger signal is a pulse signal, which is generated by disconnecting the live and neutral wires for K seconds and then closing the live and neutral wires to supply power.

[0049] Optionally, the identification unit may further include: If it is determined that at least two traffic signal countdown timers are to be configured at the intersection, then one is selected from the traffic signal countdown timers to be configured according to the phase sequence configured at the intersection. For the selected traffic signal countdown timer, the step of identifying whether the traffic light associated with the traffic signal countdown timer is currently in a flashing green state or a yellow light state is returned. The phase sequence indicates the order in which the traffic lights at the intersection are green. The selected traffic signal countdown timer meets the following requirement: the associated traffic light is the first in the green light sequence.

[0050] Optionally, the configuration information message carries at least the following configuration information: the address bits of the road traffic signal countdown timer; or, The configuration information message carries at least the following configuration information: the address bits of the road traffic signal countdown timer, and at least one of the following parameters: the baud rate, stop bits, data bits, and parity bits corresponding to serial communication.

[0051] This concludes the process. Figure 4 Structural description of the device shown.

[0052] See Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is another device structural diagram provided for an embodiment of this application. The device is applied to any road traffic signal countdown timer deployed at an intersection. This device corresponds to... Figure 2 The process is shown below.

[0053] like Figure 5 As shown, the device may include: The detection unit is used to detect the trigger signal sent by the traffic signal controller through the first connection channel between the traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic signal controller. The configuration unit is configured to perform autonomous configuration based on the configuration information carried in the configuration information message when the detection unit detects N consecutive trigger signals sent by the traffic signal controller through the first connection channel between the traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic signal controller within an agreed time after the N trigger signals are detected, and when the configuration information message is received through the 485 protocol communication line between the traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic signal controller.

[0054] Optionally, if the configuration unit receives a configuration information message through the 485 protocol communication line between the road traffic signal countdown timer and the signal controller, and if it detects that the road traffic signal countdown timer has not detected N consecutive trigger signals within a second set time before the current time, then configuration based on the currently received configuration information message is prohibited.

[0055] This application also provides embodiments that... Figure 4 or Figure 5 The hardware structure of the device shown. See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 As shown, the hardware structure may include: a processor and a machine-readable storage medium, the machine-readable storage medium storing machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor; the processor is used to execute the machine-executable instructions to implement the method disclosed in the above example of this application.

[0056] Based on the same application concept as the above method, this application embodiment also provides a machine-readable storage medium storing a plurality of computer instructions, which, when executed by a processor, can implement the method disclosed in the above examples of this application.

[0057] For example, the aforementioned machine-readable storage medium can be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that can contain or store information such as executable instructions, data, etc. For instance, machine-readable storage media can be: RAM (Random Access Memory), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, flash memory, storage drives (such as hard disk drives), solid-state drives, any type of storage disk (such as optical discs, DVDs, etc.), or similar storage media, or combinations thereof.

[0058] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A method of remotely configuring a road traffic signal countdown timer, characterized by, This method is applied to a traffic signal controller, which controls the status of traffic lights deployed at an intersection to direct traffic flow. A road traffic signal countdown timer is also deployed at the intersection. Each road traffic signal countdown timer is associated with a corresponding traffic light, and each countdown timer displays the remaining time of the associated traffic light's current status. The traffic signal controller connects the road traffic signal countdown timer and the associated traffic light via a first connection channel. The traffic signal controller also connects to the road traffic signal countdown timer via a second connection channel, which is a 485 protocol communication line different from the first connection channel, enabling the road traffic signal countdown timer to operate in protocol mode. The road traffic signal countdown timer operates under the control of the traffic signal controller in protocol mode; the method includes: When configuring a countdown timer for a road traffic signal at the intersection, identify whether the traffic light associated with the countdown timer is currently in a flashing green or yellow state. If the current state of the traffic light is neither flashing green nor yellow, then N consecutive trigger signals are sent through the first connection channel connecting the traffic light and the road traffic signal countdown timer, where N is greater than 1. After sending N consecutive trigger signals, the current configuration information message is sent through the 485 protocol communication line connected to the road traffic signal countdown timer within a first set time. This allows the road traffic signal countdown timer to perform autonomous configuration based on the configuration information carried in the current configuration information message when it receives the current configuration information message and has received N consecutive trigger signals within a second set time before the current time. The second set time is equal to the first set time, or the second set time is greater than the first set time and less than the third set time. The third set time is the time from the current time to the time when the most recent historical configuration information message was received.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, If the traffic light is currently in a flashing green or yellow state, the method further includes: Wait until the traffic light is neither flashing green nor yellow, then return to the step of sending N consecutive trigger signals through the first connection channel connecting the traffic light and the road traffic signal countdown timer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first connection channel between the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic light associated with the road traffic signal countdown timer reuses the physical connection between the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic light associated with the road traffic signal countdown timer, the physical connection being a live and neutral wire connection.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The trigger signal is a pulse signal, which is generated by disconnecting the live and neutral wires for K seconds and then closing the live and neutral wires to supply power.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further includes: If it is determined that at least two traffic signal countdown timers are to be configured at the intersection, then one is selected from the traffic signal countdown timers to be configured according to the phase sequence configured at the intersection. For the selected traffic signal countdown timer, the step of identifying whether the traffic light associated with the traffic signal countdown timer is currently in a flashing green state or a yellow light state is returned. The phase sequence indicates the order in which the traffic lights at the intersection are green. The selected traffic signal countdown timer meets the following requirement: the associated traffic light is the first in the green light sequence.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, The configuration information message carries at least the following configuration information: the address bits of the road traffic signal countdown timer; or, The configuration information message carries at least the following configuration information: the address bits of the road traffic signal countdown timer, and at least one of the following parameters: the baud rate, stop bits, data bits, and parity bits corresponding to serial communication.

7. A method of remotely configuring a road traffic signal countdown timer, characterized by, This method is applied to any road traffic signal countdown timer deployed at an intersection, the countdown timer being associated with a corresponding traffic light at the intersection, and used to display the remaining time of the current state of the associated traffic light; the countdown timer and the associated traffic light are connected to a traffic signal controller via a first connection channel; the traffic signal controller is at least used to control the state of the traffic light deployed at the intersection for directing traffic flow; the countdown timer is also connected to the traffic signal controller via a second connection channel, the second connection channel being a 485 protocol communication line different from the first connection channel to enable the countdown timer to operate in protocol mode, the countdown timer operating in protocol mode based on the control of the traffic signal controller; the method includes: If N consecutive trigger signals are detected sent by the traffic signal controller through the first connection channel between the traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic signal controller, then when a configuration information message is received through the 485 protocol communication line between the traffic signal countdown timer and the traffic signal controller within an agreed time after the N trigger signals are detected, the traffic signal controller will perform autonomous configuration based on the configuration information carried in the configuration information message. Specifically, when the traffic signal controller determines to configure the traffic signal countdown timer, if it identifies that the current state of the traffic light associated with the traffic signal countdown timer is neither flashing green nor yellow, it will send N consecutive trigger signals through the first connection channel connecting the traffic light and the traffic signal countdown timer; N is greater than 1.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The method also includes: If a configuration information message is received via the 485 protocol communication line between this traffic signal countdown timer and the signal controller, and it is detected that the traffic signal countdown timer has not detected N consecutive trigger signals within a second set time before the current time, then configuration based on the currently received configuration information message is prohibited.

9. A road traffic signal system, characterized in that, The system includes a traffic signal controller and a road traffic signal countdown timer. The traffic signal controller supplies power to the road traffic signal countdown timer, and the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer are connected via RS-485 communication. After the traffic signal controller and the road traffic signal countdown timer are powered on... The traffic signal controller sends a trigger signal to the road traffic signal countdown timer; Within a preset time after the traffic signal sends the trigger signal, it sends a configuration message via a 485 communication connection. The configuration message carries the configuration information to be configured for the road traffic signal countdown timer. After the road traffic signal countdown timer receives a trigger signal, and receives a configuration message within a predetermined time after receiving the trigger signal, it will configure the signal according to the configuration information carried in the configuration message.

10. A system for remotely configuring a road traffic signal countdown timer, characterized in that, The system includes: a signal; The system also includes: traffic lights deployed at the intersection and controlled by the signal controller for directing traffic, and road traffic signal countdown timers deployed at the intersection; the road traffic signal countdown timer is associated with a corresponding traffic light and is used to display the remaining time of the current state of the associated traffic light; The signal device performs the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6; The road traffic signal countdown timer performs the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 8.

11. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes: a processor and a machine-readable storage medium; The machine-readable storage medium stores machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor; The processor is configured to execute machine-executable instructions to implement the method steps of any one of claims 1-8.

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